Victoria Nielsen of Los Lunas Wins Statewide VFW Award, Bound for D.C.

Victoria Nielsen, a fourth-grade teacher at Los Lunas Elementary School, has been named the 2025–26 Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award recipient for the statewide elementary level and is set to represent New Mexico at the VFW national convention.

Nielsen was recognized by members of VFW Post 9676 in Los Lunas, her students and Los Lunas Elementary staff at a ceremony held on Friday, Feb. 20. A published photo caption noted, "Los Lunas Elementary School teacher Victoria Nielsen (back row, sixth from the left) was recognized by members of VFW Post 9676 in Los Lunas, her students and staff from LLE as the 2025–26 Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award recipient at the statewide elementary level on Friday, Feb. 20," with photo credit to Kenn Rodriguez.

After the ceremony, Nielsen expressed enthusiasm for the classroom work that formed the basis of her nomination: "I’m really excited," Nielson said after the ceremony. "It was the projects that I do with (the students) that I’ve really loved. So, it was wonderful to hear that other people also really loved them or thought well of them. I love the creative part of teaching, getting the kids to think deeply about things. You know, the project that we do, it’s a living wax museum where they dress up as someone from history, and they (the students) have to become that person."

Nielsen's path to the state award included a victory at the local VFW District 2 level before she prevailed for the statewide elementary honor. Barela, who commented on the selection, emphasized how Nielsen's classroom work fit the award criteria: "What made Victoria stand out was exactly what the criteria was — patriotism, civic duty — and her nomination identified exactly in her class," Barela said. "Not only did she teach history, she brought the students in to act out history. That helps draw (the students) out. What she does, how she does it, and how she (teaches). That’s why she won."

Los Lunas Elementary Principal Regina Lucero said she was not surprised that Nielsen received the VFW teaching award. The Smart/Maher program allows for three department winners across grade bands, one each for K-5, 6-8 and 9-12, and each department award winner and their school receives a national citation.

Published materials include conflicting details about where and when Nielsen will appear as New Mexico's representative: one reference lists Washington, D.C. in June while another, more detailed reference lists the VFW National Convention as July 25-29 in Reno, Nev. The July 25-29 Reno dates are the most specific in the available materials, but the destination and timing should be confirmed with VFW Post 9676 or Los Lunas Elementary before travel is announced.

The award confirms Nielsen as New Mexico's statewide elementary citation recipient for the 2025–26 term, with the living wax museum project singled out by judges for fostering patriotism and civic duty among Los Lunas students; confirmation of her preferred name spelling and the convention itinerary will determine the location and date of her national appearance.